Lawmakers Recognize the Cooperative Difference
Dear Member,
The 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly is nearly halfway through its busy session. Thousands of bills have been introduced, and it can be difficult to cut through the chatter.
At Douglas Electric Cooperative, we believe going to the Oregon Capitol is an important way to make sure our voices are heard. In February, more than 60 electric cooperative leaders from across Oregon—including me and board member Suzi Armstrong—spent a day in Salem advocating for policies to safeguard the affordability, reliability, and safety of your power supply.
Whether it is legislation to protect electric co-ops from uncapped liability from wildfires or mandates on how to operate our system or even the types of vehicles we can buy, the Oregon Legislature is considering serious proposals that would have real consequences for our members.
It was a productive day with a good discussion of the issues, and we appreciate the attentiveness of our elected officials. We also found considerable interest from legislators in the electric co-op business model—perhaps more than ever before.
In an era of spiraling costs, legislators said they appreciate that we are local and not-for-profit. While we are not immune to rising costs, decisions about the operation of Douglas Electric are made by elected leaders in our communities, not distant shareholders seeking to maximize profits. You have a voice in making these decisions, and lawmakers seem to recognize this distinction. In the Oregon Capitol, there is a growing recognition that electric co-ops are different.
Advocating on your behalf in Salem is a responsibility we take seriously—and the Oregon Legislative Assembly still has a long way to go. We will see it through to the end and keep you updated on any legislation that affects Douglas Electric’s ability to provide our members with the best possible service.
Sincerely,
General Manager Keith Brooks